Four Days Later...
Today was now the big day for Ace and Kuzuku who was his backup in this operation. Kuzuku had struggled to put on a black suit since he wasn't used to going out for fancy dinners as often so it was kinda expected. Once Kuzuku finally got his tie right, he made sure that most of his bandages and tail weren't visible since some of his wounds didn't fully heal yet. After checking if everything was okay, he walked out of his house and flew over to 21's lab. The sky seemed beautiful as dusk was approaching its end. Kuzuku landed in front of her door and ranged the doorbell, waiting in anticipation on what he was about to see. After waiting for ten minutes, the doors finally opened. Kuzuku's eyes widened as his face turned bright red at what he saw. 21 wore a nice sparkling orange dress with a white necklace that hanged over her neck as she held onto her white purse. Her brown hair seemed freshly brushed as her eyes sparkled. She seemed to also have red lipstick on and low orange heels to go with her outfit. Kuzuku could of sworn that his heart stopped for at least thirty seconds, causing him to wonder if he was okay or even alive.
"Ummm Kuzuku? Are you alright?" 21 asked as she took a step forward to examine his face. Kuzuku stopped her when he grabbed her hand from cupping his face.
"Heheh, I'm alright 21. You sure went all out tonight haven't you." Kuzuku awed.
"What do you mean?" 21 asked as she tilted her head innocently.
"Well you just look so beautiful that I nearly had a heart attack." Kuzuku complimented. Now it was 21's turn to get flustered. Kuzuku noticed this and laughed nervously.
"Well...we better get going or Ace may be doomed already." Kuzuku suggested. 21 nodded at that and slipped her arms in-between Kuzuku's. The Saiyan placed his fingers on his forehead and locked onto Ace's energy, teleporting to him in an instant.
-Instant Transmission SFX-
Ace jumped at the sound of footsteps behind him. He had somehow ditched his father and got some alone time to himself in the garden of the mansion that resided in the wilderness. You could still here the ear soothing music of the private orchestra inside and the sounds of chatters that were overshadowed by it. Ace turned around to see his best friend and his girlfriend together, dressed nicely for the party that was happening right now.
"Alright, we are going to have a nice long chat about you teleporting without warning." Ace said.
"Sorry, so have you met that girl you are force to be engage with Ace." Kuzuku asked. Ace shook his head at his friend's question.
"No, but I do know her from the pass. I just haven't seen her face in years. My dad is currently somewhere else and I don't think he's met her yet which is a good thing since we have time." Ace answered while adding venom to the word dad. The three soon heard footsteps approach them, causing them to turn around.
"Ace, who are these people? Wait, is that the upcoming medical scientist, 21?" Kuma asked as he walked with none other than Merisa and her father Ozuto. Ace gave his father a disgusted look before answering his question.
"Yes father and she happens to be my best friend's girlfriend. This is Kuzuku Ayoma." Ace introduced. Kuzuku noticed Merisa standing behind the two men. His eyes widened as he recalled the memory from a week ago.
"Wait, you are..." Kuzuku muttered.
"Oh yes, Ace. Let me introduce you to Merisa, the girl you will be marrying." Kuma said. Merisa stepped up and bowed to Ace while giving off a sly smirk that was barely noticeable. She looked up to see Kuzuku and smiled.
"Hello there, I didn't expect us to meet up again like this." Merisa smiled.
"Ye...Yeah, what a coincidence." Kuzuku nervously chuckled while gaining a glare from 21, making him wince a bit in fear. Kuzuku calmed himself down and got serious. He has to figure out a way to get away from everyone else and keep them busy long enough to find any leads. 21 noticed her boyfriend in deep thought and decided to help him get out of this situation herself.
"So, I take that you know who I am . Its a great pleasure to meet you in person." 21 greeted.
"Yes and I've heard many great things about you to 21. You've been popping up a lot recently and I must say, making a contract with you someday may be something I consider. Actually we could start negotiating right now if your willing. You see, we need to leave Ace and Merisa alone so they can catch up on things. I've heard they've known each other since middle school so its only proper." Kuma said.
"But would that interrupt anything important?" 21 asked.
"No, we plan on solidifying everything at midnight so we have time." Ozuto assured.
"Good then we won't have a problem then. Oh Kuzuku dear, can you go look for my mirror that I left upstairs on the bathroom." 21 said, winking at him that this was his chance. Kuzuku nodded and went off, leaving 21 and Ace to give him the time he needed to investigate. He made his way through the crowd of people and got away through several girls trying to get a dance with him. After overcoming those obstacles, he had finally made it to a hallway that didn't seem to be occupied.
"Finally, now time to start looking. If I was a rich guy that had links to one of the most dangerous armies in the world, where would I hide a secret room?" Kuzuku muttered to himself. The Saiyan walked aimlessly through the hallway, feeling walls and checking the marble floors for some kind of button. Heck he even moved object but that didn't seem to work out for him.
"Crap, where can this thing be?! Maybe those rumors that Ace was talking about were actually just rumors." Kuzuku sighed, leaning his back onto the wall. He opened his eyes and saw the a door and decided to open it. What was unraveled wasn't anything spectacular or screamed Red Ribbon Army. It was just an ordinary office room that was filled with books and papers. Still though, Kuzuku snooped around and continued to move objects to find a lead or at least something. That was until he pulled out a particular green book that instantly sided the bookshelf, revealing a large door that was hidden behind it.
"About time I've found something." Kuzuku relieved. He walked down the dark staircase, unbeknownst to a man who was following him. He brushed his ponytail off his shoulder as his metallic eyes shined due to the light.
"Seems, we have someone who is a bit too interested in this household. Oh well, I guess I will do what I do best." Tao said as he followed the Saiyan down into the secret door.
Back Out In The Garden
Ace walked through the garden as he tried to get away from Merisa with every opportunity he could get but still, despite passing off hints and showing disinterests, Merisa still followed him. He didn't know what was pushing her to keep up this persistence but all he knew was that it was the most infuriating thing that he could ever experience. He could only just wish that Kuzuku would find something already so that he could just get this thing done and over with. After several minutes, the Sojiro heir had enough and decided to speak.
"Okay, why are you still following me Merisa! I thought I established that I don't like you. You've been like this since middle school and I want you to get this through your head." Ace said with a hint of malice.
"And why is that? I've never done anything to you back in middle school that would cause you to despise me. Why can't you just accept my advance and love me back?" Merisa replied with what seemed to be a hint of disappointment. Ace clenched the bridge of his nose as he felt a headache coming in.
"It doesn't work like that Merisa...besides I already have a girlfriend." Ace answered. Merisa's face morphed to something that only spelled deviousness. She smirked slyly as he mentioned that he had a girlfriend.
"Oh are you talking about Liz?" Merisa assumed. Ace's eye narrowed at the thought of her knowing Liz in some shape or form.
"How do you know, Liz?" Ace said darkly.
"Oh don't be so serious about it. Back in middle school, she was one of my friends during our last year. I've recently came into encounter with Liz a few days ago and she couldn't recognize me from my beauty. You should of seen her face when I told her about us be engage today." Merisa giggled. Ace stood silent for a moment at the information he was told.
"Liz, knew about what is going on." Ace thought fearfully, not noticing that Merisa had leaned her hands and heads on his chest, as if she was expecting a hug. Ace stood frozen as the thought repeated itself in his mind over and over again. After what seemed to be an eternity, Ace snapped back into reality and looked down at Merisa for a moment. His face morphed into anger as he pushed the girl off him, startling her a bit and causing her to look up with teary eyes.
"Don't you dare touch me..." Ace muttered darkly. His body was shaking with rage but he tried to contain it better as he was more of a man than that.
"But, Ace..." Merisa muttered, threatening to cry.
"You wonder why I don't like you? Because you are manipulative and would betray your own friends trust for your own benefit. You were always so...damn snotty that it was infuriating. Every time you tried to flirt with me, it became almost suffocating. How can I marry someone who doesn't take into consideration of someone else's feelings?" Ace admitted
"But Ace, I care about you and only you!" Merisa claimed. Ace shook his head and walked pass the girl who was shivering with tears.
"And that is whats wrong here. Your too tunnel minded to understand basic humility for other people. Until you realize that then I can't even be associated with you, let alone marry someone like you." Ace said as he walked away. He could faintly here the soft weeps but tried to block them out as he walked. He knew that this was for the best and hurting a girl like that would be his only guilty conscious for the night.
Now Back With Kuzuku On His Search
Kuzuku maneuvered down the dark stairway with minimal effort due to having access to Ki to aid him. He finally reached the bottom and saw another door that seemed to be made of metal, which only spiked his curiosity since that would only mean that something secret is definitely down there. Knowing that trying to crack the code would be pointless, Kuzuku decided to do thing more frontal by placing his palm on the door and generated a small Kiai to break the door down. He stepped inside the restricted room and was left in marvel at what h e saw.
"Mother of god..." Kuzuku muttered at all the machinery that was before him. High-tech military tanks, jets, rifles and many other weapons were standing before him. The Saiyan went on to further satisfy his urges of finding out more by walking through the many rows of weapons that lied in the basement. Eventually he made it to what seemed to be the center of the large room. What stood in the center was what he was looking for. A large missile that seemed, to be pointed towards the ceiling. Kuzuku went over to the panel and analyzed the data that was inputed.
"I can't believe that they have something like this. According to the data, this thing could pretty much wipe out a continent if it wanted to." Kuzuku muttered, placing the USB into the panel and extracted the data in mere minutes. Once it was completed, the Saiyan pulled it out and decided to take one last look at the giant death weapon.
"Its a good thing that I found this place, now its time for me to give the evidence to Ace." Kuzuku muttered.
"I don't think you will be doing that." A voice called out, catching him off guard. Kuzuku turned around to see the legendary mercenary in all his glory.
"I advise you to hand over that USB you have there and leave quietly. Didn't your mother teach you to not snoop around in other peoples homes." Tao said.
"So much for being stealthy. But you know, back when I was younger, don't think that I was much of a obedient child." Kuzuku said blatantly.
"Touche', so are you going to hand over the USB nicely or are we going to get rough?" Tao threatened. Kuzuku smirked as he flipped the device in the air before catching it. He decided that he'd have a little fun with him before giving it to Ace.
"Nah, I think its pretty good in my hands. I mean, Bulma could use some of this data for her inventions. This thing got some specs that even she didn't think were possible meaning that whoever made it must of been one hell of a scientist." Kuzuku mocked. Tao didn't say a word as he was instantly behind the Saiyan, ready to strike him with a chop to the back of the neck. Kuzuku smirked as he disappeared from his sights, leaving him clueless as to where he had gone. Tao hunched over as he felt a hand on top of his head.
"Sorry but you're going to have to be faster than that to catch me in our little game of tag." Kuzuku teased. Tao gritted his teeth in frustration and attempted to punch the Saiyan but his fist only fazed right through him.
"Afterimage? This guy may be more formidable than I thought." Tao uttered. Kuzuku was already running towards the exit as Tao finally caught whim to him. In no time, the two would engage in a full on chase around the mansion.
With 21 And Her Conversation
21 nervously chuckled as she received the what seemed to be the one hundredth compliment on her looks from Ozuto in their whole conversation. She was beginning to wonder if Kuzuku found anything yet because she didn't exactly know how much longer she can stall. Especially when it looks like Kuma was getting suspicious. They stood in the ball room with the many other guests who were enjoying the party with carefree expression that would never think something would go wrong.
"Hmm 21, where has your boyfriend gone of to? He hasn't been back in hours." Kuma asked. 21 started to sweat nervously but she still kept her cool, not letting anything slip out.
"Oh, well he's probably still looking. He's always been so dedicated on pleasing me with my needs." 21 chuckled nervously. Kuma raised an eyebrow at her response but decided to accept it anyways. The group were interrupted by Ace who was walking towards them. The two men wondered where Merisa had gone since she followed after him when Kuzuku left but they caught glimpse who the blue haired girl with her dress that matched. She was trailing just behind Ace and held what seemed to be a glum face.
"21, where is Kuzuku?" Ace asked as he walked up to the majin.
"Well..." 21 muttered until a sound of an wall getting punched real hard, echoed throughout the ball room. Everyone made sounds of astonishment as they watch the spectacle happen before them. The group squeezed their way through the crowd and saw what everyone was looking at. Just on top of the fancy staircase was none other than the Saiyan himself, dodging various punches and slashes from a well pointed sword.
"Damn you, just sit still and accept your death like a man!" Tao shouted as he lashed around, hoping to at least graze the Saiyan.
"I don't think so, besides could you stop trying to cut me? I don't want to ruin the suit." Kuzuku complained as he dodged each one with little effort. Kuzuku leaped over a horizontal slash and descended gracefully onto the ground, earning applause from the crowd for his stunt.
"Oh wow, look at that tuna! Man I always wanted to try some try some." Kuzuku awed as he grabbed some and gobbled it down quickly.
"Man this is good!" he exclaimed, not caring that Tao had leap down to deliver a bone crushing punch. Kuzuku merely ducked under him and let his fist implant itself into the marble floor, shocking everyone that was in attendance. Ozuto however was shocked for another reason because he didn't think it was possible for anyone to evade blows from Tao let alone toy with him. The Saiyan walked over to the group with a plate full of food.
"Sorry 21 but I couldn't find your mirror. Though I did find something for Ace." Kuzuku chirped as he showed the USB to his friend. Ace caught eye of it and gave Kuzuku the thumbs up, meanwhile Tao freed his hand from the ground and turned towards him with an enraged expression.
" ! You must bring out your bodyguards at once and help me apprehend that man over there. He's extracted top secret data that if it gets let out then your whole family is screwed!" Tao informed.
"What did you say! Quick, guards come at once!" Ozuto worried. A whole mob of bodyguards armed with guns showed up to the scene in no time. Kuzuku looked around and swallowed one of the juicy steaks that he was chewing on.
"Man, I've never been to any fancy party before but I didn't know you guys like to get crazy." Kuzuku said. One man decided to play the big guy and try to pull the trigger first but Kuzuku caught whim quickly and threw a spoon at his forehead, striking him so hard that he collapsed to the ground and fell unconscious. The other men grimed at what they just witness as the Saiyan took another bite of tuna.
"Yeah, I wouldn't recommend firing. I mean, it'd be a waste of ammo since none of them would hit me let alone graze me. Look on the bright side, I am saving you guys money." Kuzuku teased.
"Oh yeah, then how about you try this!" Tao shouted as he unlocked his hand and revealed what seemed to be a canon. It began generating energy into itself as he laughed manically like the killer he is.
"I wouldn't suggest that option either. You might cause some collateral damage such as dirtying the floor with blast marks or something." Kuzuku replied. Everyone in the room started to scram towards the door in hopes of avoiding death. Ozuto, Kuma and Merisa were making their way as well until they saw that both 21 and Ace weren't moving an inch.
"Are you two crazy! We got to get out of here!" Ozuto said.
"Huh? Oh, everything is going to be fine. Kuzuku's just having a little fun as per usual." 21 sighed. the three blinked with the thought of whether she was insane or flat out telling the truth. They didn't think fast enough as Tao had already finished charging his attack.
"SUPER DODAN RAYYYY!" Tao shouted, firing the destructive wave at the Saiyan who was drinking a cup of juice. He placed the glass down on a nearby table and watched as the beam approached him. With little effort, Kuzuku extended his hand out and blocked the wave, causing it to part in various directions and put wholes all over the room. It quickly dissipated, revealing the Saiyan unscathed at all.
"Nighhhhhhh!" Tao made an intelligible sound of shock as his strongest attack was deflected so easily. Kuma stood in shock along with both Merisa and Ozuto at what they just watch. Kuzuku wiped his hand on his pants and sighed.
"See what did I tell you. Collateral damage was inevitable if you did that." Kuzuku sighed.
"Tch damn yo-GRAGHHHHH!" Tao was about to shout until he got a quick "light" punch to the stomach, knocking the air out of him before he passed out on the floor.
"And maybe you should pay for the damage." Kuzuku muttered. He looked around as he saw the stares of scared men look at him. He narrowed his eyes for a moment, causing them all to panic and leave the room in fear at what he may do to them.
"Well that was easy..." Kuzuku whispered. He turned around and made his way towards 21 and the others. Ozuto sweated in fear as he just watched the legendary mercenary get completely defeated by him while Kuma was contemplating on how Ace came to be friends with him.
"So...about that arrange marriage thing." Kuzuku said.
"Wh...What do you mean about the arrange marriage?" Ozuto stuttered. Merisa looked at her father with worry since she had never seen him be this afraid before in his life.
"I'd like for you to call the whole thing off and allow Ace to choose who he wants to be with. You shouldn't subjugate him to such a thing without his consent." Kuzuku demanded.
"What! Are you crazy? You have no business in this!" Ozuto said.
"You're wrong, its every bit of my business. Ace is my friend and if you cross the line then I will make it my personal goal to help him through with anything he's troubled with." Kuzuku replied. He looked at Kuma who is said to be Ace's father. He looked distant, as if he was in deep thought.
"You must be thinking the same thing as well?" Kuzuku noted, referring to Kuma. Kuma stood silent as he couldn't deny what he feels. Then something unexpected happen as it gained the attention of the group.
"ACE!" cried a voice. Everyone turned around to see the owner of the voice that cried out Ace's name. Ace's eyes widened as he saw Liz running towards him with tears in her eyes. His feet seemed to move on there own as he walked towards Liz and caught her in his arms.
"Liz, what are you doing here?" Ace asked
"I've come to help you try and convince your father about stopping the arrange marriage." Liz sniffed. Ace's eyes softened at what she had said and looked back to his father. The two stared at each other, as though they are communicating with telepathically. Kuma sighed and turned towards Ozuto.
"I'm sorry , I am sure that you are a good man but I cannot go through with this." Kuma said. Ace's eyes widened at what he had just heard.
"What! You can't do that! We've had so many thing planed!" Ozuto said.
"That may be true, but all my life I've only catered to my needs and desires. I've never been there for what my son wants and what kind of parent am I if I can't do something as simple as that?" Kuma said simply. Ozuto gritted angry.
"If that's the case then I will just make sure that you and your company rot in hell!" Ozuto claimed.
"No I don't think so? Remember what Tao said? I got all the data for that missile that you have secretly developed underground as well as most of your data that reveals your ties with the Red Ribbon Army. Beside, I will tell you this now. That missile you have developed is literally nothing compared to my power." Kuzuku threatened. Ozuto sweated at his threat and thought for a moment. Merisa could only watch as her father was getting outsmarted by every possibility. After several considerations, Ozuto calmed down and let out a sigh of defeat.
"Fine I guess I have no choice..." Ozuto muttered. Merisa hid her face and held in the tears at her father admitting defeat. Kuzuku smiled at the choice he made while Ace and Liz embraced and showed each other affection.
After Quite Some Time
After the whole ordeal, 21 and Kuzuku were taking a nightly flight after having a last bite to eat. Kuzuku had came up with an idea and decided to try it out now, before he misses the chance.
"Hey 21, could you follow me for a bit?" Kuzuku asked. 21 nodded and followed the Saiyan as he descended onto the ground. The two landed just outside of a cave, confusing her at what Kuzuku's been up to. She followed him through the dark cave for quite some time. Eventually, a light signaled a exit as they approached it. Once they were seemingly out, 21 was marveled by the sight. An array of fireflies danced around in the moonlight while a clear and pure lake glistened. 21 was brought back to reality when Kuzuku extended his hand out to her.
"Care to dance for a while?" Kuzuku offered with a smile. 21 blinked a few times and nodded, grabbing his hand as he pulled her close. The two dance for who knows how long. No music was required as the two only needed one thing. Yes, each other's company was what they wanted.